In the crowded car market of India, only few have the courage to withstand these downfalls. Kudos for the premium hatchback segment that has displayed quite an impressive run in this race! While Maruti Swift ruled this arena, Hyundai i20 cleverly followed the suite amid stiff competition from other hatchbacks like Ford Figo, Toyota Etios New Liva, and Volkswagen Polo.

Last year witnessed the ascent of India’s very own car maker Maruti which captured 41% share of this category with its oh-so successful Swift. Hyundai i20 is quite a popular name in this genre while the ever sporty Liva is also there to compete with these racers.

Volkswagen with its new Polo has infused new energy in its own might and managed to make an impressive entry as such. With Ford Figo, this American automobile giant too made an impact by offering smart design and premium features.

To choose the best premium hatchback in India, we have five contenders in line, Hyundai Elite i20 vs Maruti new Swift vs Ford Figo vs New Toyota Etios Liva vs Volkswagen Polo.

Pricing:

All these car makers understand the price preferences of Indian buyers and its importance in effecting the buying decision of Indian consumers, thus have taken an aggressive route for pricing of their premium hatchbacks.

Petrol version of Maruti new Swift is in the price range of 4.42-5.90 lakhs, its diesel version comes in the range of 5.56-6.95 lakhs.

Hyundai Elite i20 variants in petrol section are in price bracket of 4.89-6.46 lakhs and its diesel variants are available in the bracket of 6.09-7.66 lakhs.

In Ford Figo, its petrol variants are priced between 3.85 and 5.02 lakhs while diesel variants are between 4.82 and 6 lakhs.

Toyota Etios new Liva is also aggressively priced in the range of 4.76 lakhs to 6.57 lakhs for petrol version. In case of Liva diesel, the prices are in range of 5.94-6.95 lakhs.

Volkswagen New Polo petrol variant will cost you between Rs. 4.99-6.07 lakhs whereas its diesel variant is priced between 6.27-7.99lakhs.

The competition is neck to neck here. Good for the consumers though! But ford Figo in this section is dominating others but if you want reliability with affordable price than Swift is best suited for you.

Brand value:

However every brand tries their best to serve people need in an efficient manner but somehow they fall behind in some aspects which dents brand value. In this department there is very tuff and close competition between each other as all these brands are well renowned and famous but there is always a best among better so here Maruti has an edge over any other brand in terms of acceptability and reliability in Indian market.

Maruti is the most trusted of them all but is exposed to stupendous fame that Hyundai has garnered over the past few years with many successful launches in succession. Here, we cannot overlook the special slot crafted by big international brands like Volkswagen, Ford, and Toyota. They are comparatively lesser known biggies who are slowly but steadily making their presence felt.

Engine:

All the brands under scrutiny here but they know how to give matchlessness to their cars to make them sturdy and efficient.

Here, Maruti has a reputation to reckon with. Its petrol variant is powered with 1.2 Liters K-series engine that emits [email protected] rpm with max torque of [email protected] rpm and mileage, 20.4 kmpl. The diesel Swift is fitted with 1.3 Litre DDiS engine with max power of [email protected] 4000rpm and torque of 190Nm @ 2000rpm giving improved mileage of 25.2 kmpl.

Hyundai is also known for its power packed engines that are refined with great power hauling. Its i20 petrol variant is outfitted with 1.2 Ltr Kappa petrol engine emits power of [email protected] and peak torque ranging to [email protected] Talking of its diesel variant, it has 1.4 Ltr CRDi engine producing peak power at 88.8bhp @ 4000rpm and torque of 220 Nm at 1500-2750rpm. While petrol i20 has an average of 18.6 kmpl, diesel version offers 22.54 kmpl.

Ford also offers choice of engine depending upon the variant in its Figo. In petrol variant, it has fitted 1.2 Ltr Duratec engine giving [email protected] with high torque of 102Nm @ 4000rpm while the diesel 1.4 Liter Durotorq engine produces [email protected] 4000rpm with max torque of 160Nm @ 2000rpm. It has the fuel efficiency at 14.3 kmpl for petrol and 17.0 for Diesel trim.

Toyota Etios New Liva is decked with power injected 1.2 liter engine in its Petrol variant to execute max [email protected] with maximum torque of 104 Nm @ 3100rpm. The Diesel version comes with same 1.2 Ltr engine. However, it emits the power of [email protected] 3800rpm and torque of 170Nm at 1800-2400rpm. With 5 speed manual transmission, its fuel economy stands at 17.7 kmpl in petrol and 23.6 kmpl in diesel.

Volkswagen Polo comes loaded with 1.2-litre MPI engine producing [email protected] rpm along with high torque of 110 [email protected] rpm and fuel economy is relatively low at 16.47 kmpl while diesel variant is equipped with 1.5L TDO engine which churns out 103.5bhp [email protected] and [email protected] of peak torque most powerful of them all which returns 20.17 kmpl of decent mileage.

Space:

Being B segment hatchbacks they all have a seating capacity of 5 persons as required to stay in this segment. However, the dimensions differ in each of them as:

Here too, the competition among these cars is quite stiff as none of them bows in size.

Interiors:

In terms of interiors, all these cars are perfect show stoppers with extreme elegance and class in their looks and high end features to surmise.

Maruti new Swift depicts the niceties and class imbibed by company’s design section into it. With dark interiors and brand new console in centre, it will surely mesmerize you. It has electrical power windows, central locking with remote controlled access, power steering, stereo with USB and steering wheel mounted controls.

Hyundai displays a lot of creativity in the styling of its cars and in Elite i20 also that detailing is reflected in control cluster having dual color lighting, 2 DIN audio system with 10 GB memory, USB, AUX-in, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment with mounted audio controls, dual tone seats, Smart paddle, metallic door handles, automatic air control and adjustable driving seat.

Ford Figo is added with great appeal by its exquisite interiors in coral Titanium finish with good wheel position, sudden deceleration warning, remote central locking, and decent instrument panel with ample rear space for comfort.

Spacious and simple are the interiors in Toyota Etios New Liva. There is nothing so tempting about its styling which has rather few high points as compared to other cars. With tilt steering, nice headrest, digital trip meter, 2 DIN audio, and dark grey interiors, it leaves you craving for some more style.

Exteriors:

When it comes to exteriors, we all eye for the pair of wheels that are handsome, lissome, and whiny at the same time.

On these fronts as well, Hyundai Elite i20 emerges out invincible and unsurpassed with good quality components and styling. Its body colored bumpers and door handles; front and rear fog lamps, green tilted glass, and tubeless tyres are quite classy.

Road Handling:

Efficient road handling is obviously expected in such premium and hot hatches. And they all deliver the same. Maruti Swift has a superb ground clearance of 170mm, ventilated disc brakes, Macpherson Strut, and Torsion beam suspension.

Hyundai comes with a wheel base of 2525mm; Macpherson Strut along with Torsion beam suspension, disc front brakes and drum rear brakes as well as ABS with EBD.

If one has to choose winner in this department than Volkswagen Polo wins just by a whisker from Elite i20, Swift and Liva, whereas Figo certainly lacks the punch all the other cars have.

Verdict:

After so much of mind boggling research and analysis of all these premium hatchbacks, the final verdict shall go in favor of the car that has an upper hand on all parameters along with excellent after sales. Here, Maruti Swift and Hyundai Elite i20 seems to be the only final contenders with the best after sales offered by Maruti and equipment loaded sedan i20 presented by Hyundai.

However, as always, you have the final say while picking up your favorite hatch.